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Let's exercise to keep healthy hearts - GRA Boss

Accra, Sept. 29, GNA -
Mr Emmanuel Kofi Nti, the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority
(GRA), has advised the public to regularly exercise to keep a healthy heart.

He explained that
engaging in regular exercises helps the heart muscles to be more efficient and
able to pump blood through the vessels to every part of the body.

“Frequent workout
results in a healthy heart that pushes out more blood with each beat, allowing
it to beat slower and keep your blood pressure under control,” he said.

Mr Nti disclosed this
at health walk and screening event in Accra on Saturday to mark the World Heart
Day, a day set aside to raise awareness on cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The annual event,
which takes place on September 29, is to inform people around the globe that
heart diseases and stroke were the world’s leading causes of death, claiming
17.3 million lives each year.

On the theme: “For My
Heart, For Your Heart, For All our Hearts,” this year’s celebration seeks to
draw the attention of the public on what activities and choices they could make
to keep a healthy heart.

Officials of the GRA,
National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Heart Foundation, TV3, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and
Vodafone embarked on a nine-kilometre walk and participated in aerobics.

Mr Nti, who had been
appointed the Ambassador of this year’s celebration, urged the public to make
it a priority to go for medical checks regularly to stay healthy, work hard and
pay taxes to help develop the country.

On behalf of the GRA,
he presented a cheque of GH¢ 200,000 to support the activities of the National
Cardiothoracic Centre.

Dr Lawrence Agyeman
Sereboe, the Director of NCTC, called for a massive public education on heart-related
diseases since such illnesses could affect people of all ages and population
groups.

He cautioned the
public against bad eating habits such as excessive intake of fatty foods, sugar
and salt, which poses danger to their hearts.

Dr Sereboe mentioned
alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, and lack of exercises as some of the factors
that contribute to heart diseases, which are at a high rate in the country.

He thanked the GRA for
its support and reiterated the need for individuals and organisations to
regularly exercise to improve factors linked to cardiovascular health,
resulting in lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels, and better
blood sugar regulation.